Method of fabrication of high tensile strength removable hose covering

ABSTRACT

A high tensile strength and high abrasion resistant removable hose covering and method of construction is described for fabricating a reusable, removable hose covering adapted to surround an inner hose by which high tensile strength in the longitudinal direction may be imparted to the combination of the inner hose and removable hose covering and in addition, extreme high resistance to environmental abrasion is obtained. The inner hose is constructed by conventional methods. The removable hose covering is constructed by firstly locating a hooking type separable closure mechanism on opposite sides, placing under tension parallel high tensile strength longitudinal cables between the closure mechanisms, encompassing the longitudinal cables with elastomeric hose materials, placing under tension transverse hose reinforcement materials between the separated closure mechanisms, adding additional layers of elastomeric materials as needed covering the transverse hose reinforcement, adding a hose covering material, and finally vulcanizing the elastomeric materials of the removable hose covering. The removable hose covering is placed around the inner hose, the closure mechanism engaged, and the combination held between two distant points. The longitudinal cables provide both the high tensile strength and the extreme resistance to environmental abrasion and damage.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 774,019, filed Sept. 9, 1985,now U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,600.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hose can best be described as a flexible pipe. Its purpose is to containand transmit fluid from one location to another safely. Fluids includeliquid, gas, solids, in a fluidic state and combinations of thesecatagories. Hose has advantages over pipe inasmuch as it is flexible, itabsorbs vibration, it may handle corrosive fluids, it comes in a greatvariety of sizes, it is sound dampening, and it is easily stored.

Hose is constructed of three basic elements, (1) the tube or inner linerwhich is the element which contains, conveys, and resists the fluidinside. It transmits the forces created by internal pressure of thefluid to the strength member of the hose; (2) the reinforcement orstrength member of the hose, commonly referred to as "hosereinforcement", reacts to and resists the forces of the fluid pressure,commonly called "hoop strength"; and (3) the cover which protects thehose reinforcement from physical damage and resists the externalenvironment.

Materials used to construct the tube or inner liner and the coverconsists of, in the most common cases, rubber or plastic, while the hosereinforcement usually comprises yarns, fabrics, and metals in the formof filaments, wires, fabric, braid, spirals, etc. Rubber is used in itsbroad sense including all elastomeric materials--natural, synthetic, andcompounds and structures thereof, while plastics include the widespectrum of thermoplastic materials. The hose reinforcement includesmaterials made from cotton, synthetics, or combinations thereof, andmetals including steel, copper, aluminum, and platings thereon such aszinc, brass, cadmium, and tin.

Available today are a wide range of basic elastomers to choose from, andmany types can be blended together in almost unlimited combinations toobtain different properties. Common rubbers available are neoprene,natural rubber, polyisoprene butyl, nitrile, SBR, hypalon, ethylene,propylene, chloronated polyethylene (CPE), fluorocarbons,epichlorohydrin, and epichlorohydrin/ethylene oxide. Examples ofthermoplastic materials include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene(PE), nylon, polyester, polyurethane (TPU), and EVA. In addition, fiberscommonly used in hose construction comprise cotton, rayon, glass, nylon,polyester, asbestos, fiber B, and nomex nylon.

The five basic types of hose reinforcements are identified by the methodof manufacture or application over the inner tube or liner. These fivetypes are braid, spiral, wrapped ply, loom, and knit. In braiding, abraid is formed by interweaving cords while they are being applied in ahelical spiral over the tube. One-half of the cords are spiraledright-hand, and the other left-hand. The most common hose braidingmachines weave cords in a two-over, two-under pattern. When multipleplies are braided, it is important to obtain proper adhesion betweenplies as well as to the tube and cover. Adhesion is usually obtained bythe use of a thin layer of tie gum, often called friction, or by a doughor cement application in and around cores of the braid. Spiralreinforcement is applied in separate plies. The first ply may be laid ina left or right hand spiral and second ply then laid in an oppositespiral. Successive plies are applied in a similar manner, each plyseparated by a tie gum layer or dough adhesive. Wrapped plyreinforcement of a woven fabric is often used as hose reinforcement,either as a series of multiple plies, or in conjunction with a spiralwire. The fabric is prepared by a calendering or coating the fabric withrubber compound, i.e., tie gum, which enables the fabric to adhere toadjacent plies, to the tube, and to the cover. In addition, the tie gummay first be applied to the tube and then wrapped with the woven fabric.Loom reinforcement of hose is made with cords wound at a closed circularpitch while longitudinal (wrap) yarns are interwoven with the circularwound cords. Knit reinforcement of both is accomplished by applyingreinforcing yarns over the tube in a circular knitting machine.Variations of the knit pattern include a plain knit, lock-stitch, orwrap knit.

For more extensive information, the reader is referred to thepublication HOSE HAND BOOK, RUBBER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, 1901Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington N.W., D.C. 20026 (1979).

The inner tube or liner must be firm enough in the unvulcanized state toresist deformation and stretch under normal processing conditionsdescribed above. When the tube is too thin or too soft to withstandsubsequent processing, or when the internal diameter must be kept withina narrow range, it is supported on a mandrel. The mandrel is usually aslong as the hose to be made and has a round or other cross-section asdesired.

In many cases, hoses utilized for pressurized liquids are wrapped withhose reinforcement applied under tension and the material chosen for theinner tube is not sufficiently firm to resist deformation and stretchand therefore must be vulcanized prior to application of the tie gum andhose reinforcement. In addition, many times the inner tube must besupported on an internal mandrel during this method of processing. Thepresent state of the art in constructing hose for pressurized liquid isto employ a mandrel at least as long as the hose to be made, the mandrelbeing removed either before or after vulcanization of the tie gum andhose cover. If the mandrel is removed prior to the final vulcanization,the interior of the hose is supported during vulcanization by fluidunder pressure.

Because of the problems that are inherent in removing the mandrel from acompleted hose (before or after final vulcanization), hose length hasbeen limited in construction to lengths which can be physically handledduring processing and where the mandrel can be removed withoutsubstantial danger of harming the hose.

Hose made by the processes above described perform the function ofresisting forces of fluid pressure which might result in the hosebursting by having a great hoop strength. However, there arisesoccasions where it is necessary that the hose exhibit high tensilestrength, i.e., strength in its longitudinal direction and under somecircumstances, extreme resistance to outside abrasion and damage.

Possible application of hose requiring high tensile strength are use ofhose in deep undersea mining where the hose serves both to conveyminerals recovered from the seabed and to tow a sleigh which gathers theminerals for conveyance to the surface. In addition, the unsupportedstretching of hose for long distances such as between ships at seaduring refueling requires that the hose utilized exhibit high tensilestrength, both for its own weight and the weight of the fuel interior tothe hose, and to prevent the hose from separating if the two ships pullapart. Hoses exhibiting high tensile strength for such refuelingapplication perform a dual function, that of keeping the ships together,and preventing the breaking of the hose line and aborting a successfultransfer of fuel.

Further, high tensile strength hose is useful for ship to shore liquidunloading where, in addition to the high tensile strength necessary, thehose cover must be highly resistant to abrasion caused by coral reefs,sand, surf, and the like. The longitudinal load imposed on the hosewould be due to wave motion, currents, wind, tide, possible drifting ofthe ship, and the like.

In addition, there are situations where the qualities of high tensilestrength in the longitudinal direction and high resistance to abrasionand damage are necessary such as if the hose were employed as afloat-sink hose, i.e., the hose is designed to float while empty andthen sink when filled with fluid, such as might be used in aninstallation between ship and shore, the hose being subjected topossible damage if struck by foreign objects, such as a passing ship. Insuch a case, if the hose closely approach characteristics of an armourplated hose and still remain flexible, it is obvious that there would bemuch use.

In addition, it would be useful if the high tensile strength member ofthe hose were such that it could readily be separated from the hose forsituations where it is no longer needed, or due to bulkiness intransportation or in storage, the inner hose and the outer coveringcould be shipped and stored separately. An example of use of the aboveseparable hose and hose covering would be in temporary suspending ofhose between two points until permanent support is provided at whichtime the outer supporting cover of the hose is removed and the hosetheretofore within the covering be supported by the later constructedsupporting member.

Further, by the combination of an inner hose and an outer, removablehose covering, ultra light inner hoses may be utilized, possibly evenwithout hose reinforcement in the inner hose, by placing the hosereinforcement in the high tensile strength removable hose covering.

It is to these ends that the subject invention is directed, i.e., topresent an invention and method of construction of a hose which exhibitshigh tensile strength as well as abrasion or damage resistance and isseparable into two components, an inner hose for conveying the fluid andan outer removable, reusable high tensile strength hose covering.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a high tensile strength hose with addedabrasion and damage resistance which is separable into an inner hose anda reusable and removable hose covering. Firstly, the inner completedhose is fabricated by conventional methods, for example, that of havingan inner liner or tube formed on a mandrel utilizing an elastomeric orplastic material designed to be resistant to the fluid which the hose isproposed to convey. If the inner hose is to have some reinforcement,then following the inner liner, a layer of plastic, cement, orelastomeric material such as tie gum is placed on the inner linercovering the mandrel, the layer of tie gum followed by a layer of hosereinforcement of appropriate choice. The hose reinforcement is designedto resist the fluidic pressure of the fluid interiorly to the hose andmay be fabricated by any one of the known previously discussed methods.Following the layer of hose reinforcement, a layer of tie gum materialis laid upon the uncompleted hose. Following this step, alternate layersof hose reinforcement and tie gum may be added if needed, or dependingon the application, a final layer of hose covering may be placed overthe tie gum layer.

Alternately, if the removable hose covering is to provide the requisitehoop strength, hose reinforcement of the inner hose may not be necessaryand the above steps omitted. The inner hose may or may not be coveredwith a hose covering, depending upon anticipated exposure. If it isanticipated that the removable second component of Applicant's inventionis to always be present upon the completed inner hose, or if theenvironment that the inner hose is going to be exposed to issufficiently resisted by cured tie gum, it may not be necessary to add ahose covering to the inner hose, but the tie gum material may be allthat is necessary. The inner hose, with or without the hose covering, isthen vulcanized in an appropriate and usual manner.

Following construction of the inner hose, the high tensile strengthremovable hose covering is fabricated. This removable hose covering isfabricated with similar materials as used in hose construction in thepreferred embodiment, however, means must be provided by which the hosecovering can be removed, and means by which high tensile strength in thelongitudnal direction may be imparted. Both objectives are accomplishedin Applicant's invention. In constructing the removable hose covering,the covering is fabricated while laying in a flat position, the coveringto later encompass the inner hose when utilized.

The removable hose covering is fabricated by firstly laying down theseparable closure mechanism which holds the two sides of the hosecovering around the inner hose. One/half of the closure mechanism islocated on one side of the line, and spaced apart from it will be theother half of the closure mechanism to form essentially two parallellines. Between these two parts of the closure mechanism, are laid atleast one, and in most cases, a plurality of longitudinal cables, suchas steel, stainless steel, Kevlar, or nylon, the cables lying parallelto the lines of the closure mechanism. Then, a first layer of hoseelastomer material is laid in a layer running parallel to the closuremechanism and longitudinal cables encapsulating the cables within thematerial layers and engaging the inside portion of each half of theclosure mechanism. Following the application of the elastomericmaterials over the longitudinal cables, hose reinforcement material isplaced substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of theresultant removable hose covering. This hose reinforcement material maybe placed upon the previously laid down layer of elastomeric material inany form desired, either in a pattern which is exactly 90° to thelongitudinal direction of the removable hose covering, or in a patternsimilar to spiraling. In addition, the hose reinforcing material may, atthe option of the fabricator, be physically attached to each side of theclosure mechanism by encircling an upward protruding finger, or it mayjust be laid down adjacent to the closure mechanism halves, or tooverlap an underlying finger of the closure mechanism which may extendinwardly to the removable hose covering.

As in manufacturing of hose, the hose reinforcement material isstretched under tension as it is placed from side to side on thepreviously laid down elastomeric material. One obvious method ofaccomplishing placing the hose reinforcement material under tension isto attach it on each side to each half of the closure mechanism. Afterthe hose reinforcement material is laid across the removable hosecovering, another layer of tie gum or other elastomeric material is laiddown over the hose reinforcement to encapsulate it much as isaccomplished in hose fabrication.

Successive alternate layers of tie gum material and hose reinforcementand, if necessary or desired, longitudinal tensile strength cables areemplaced until the removable hose covering has been fully constructedhaving the desired longitudinal tensile strength and transverse hoopstrength. At that time, the portion of the hose which has received allthe materials is vulcanized by placing a portion of the removable hosecovering in a so-called belt press, the belt press pressing on the topand the bottom of the removable hose covering while simultaneouslyapplying heat to vulcanize and cure the elastomeric materials whichbinds all the components together into a solid, but flexible mass.

By the application of pressure upon the belt, entrained air bubbles arenot permitted to expand during the heating process such as to providepoints of specific weakness in the removable hose covering. The abovefabrication process, from laying down the tie gum materials over thelongitudinal cables, laying down the hose reinforcement, then additionallayers of tie gum materials, and finally the curing or vulcanization ofthe tie gum materials is repeated along the total length of theremovable hose covering.

The top of the covering may take a corrugated configuration, rising upand over the embedded cables and falling in between cables, oradditional tie gum may be added to fill in the troughs and the topsurface flattened. Lastly, a suitable covering is laid upon the surfaceof the hose covering which is to be exposed to the environment and to beresistive to abrasion.

In construction, the longitudinal high tensile cables may be placedabove or below the hose reinforcement material, or may be placed bothabove and below the hose reinforcement material.

The closure mechanism, which runs along the total length of theremovable hose covering, is any suitable closure mechanism which cancomprise, for example, a simple hooking mechanism with two crookedelongated fingers hooking over each other. The closure may be continuousclosures down each side of the hose covering, or it may be individualseparate closures next to each other running down each side.

The high tensile strength longitudinal cables are secured at each end ofthe removable hose covering by attachment to a hose coupling, or to astationary standard.

It is an object of the subject invention to provide hose having hightensile strength in the longitudinal direction.

It is another object of the subject invention to provide a hose havinghigh tensile strength in a longitudinal direction wherein the member ofthe hose providing the high tensile strength is removable.

It is still another object of the subject invention to provide areusable and removable hose covering which will provide high tensilestrength in the longitudinal direction to an existing hose.

It is still further another object of the subject invention to provide amethod to fabricate a removable hose covering which provides hightensile strength in the longitudinal direction.

It is still further another object of the subject invention to provide aremovable and reusable hose covering which provides transverse hoopstrength and high tensile strength in the longitudinal direction.

It is still another object of the subject invention to provide a methodof fabricating a removable hose covering providing high tensile strengthin the longitudinal direction and hoop strength in the transversedirection.

It is still further another object of the subject invention to provide aremovable, reusable hose covering providing extreme resistance toenvironmental abrasion and damage to the hose covering.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the constructionand the method of construction combining the elements and arranging theparts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and thescope of the application of which will be indicated in the Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For further understanding of the nature and objects of the presentinvention, reference should be had to the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a typical construction of the innercompleted hose;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a typical fabrication process ofthe inner hose;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in partial section of two embodimentsof the high tensile strength removable and reusable hose covering;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the closure mechanisms and thetransverse hose reinforcement of the high tensile strength removablehose covering;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another closure mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the method of fabrication of thereusable, removable hose covering; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of aremovable hose covering.

In the various views, like index numbers refer to like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view of an ultra lightweightsingle braid inner hose 10 utilized in the invention is shown. Becauseof obvious advantages, the preferred inner hose is designed to be anextremely lightweight hose, perhaps not much more than a tube withenough reinforcement to keep it from being damaged while in storage ortransit absent its removable cover. This hose would weigh very little,perhaps 11/2 pounds per foot in a 7 or 8 inch inside diameter, and whencollapsed for storage, would be practically flat. It is conceivable that30,000 to 50,000 feet could be stored on a large reel. The hose could bemade into 500, 1000, or 1500 foot lengths, whatever would be convenient.

The inner hose, if it is to have no layers of reinforcement, or one ormore layers, may be made by standard, well known methods of hosemanufacturing having the usual material layers which comprise innerhoses, such as, for example, in referring to FIG. 1, the inner tube orliner 12, a material layer 14 such as a rubber or plastic, tie gum beingthe most commonly used material, the reinforcement layer 16, and theoutside tie gum layer 18. The reinforcement layer 16 may take the formof an interwoven braid, a continuous spiral, or interwoven left andright sprial, each of one or a plurality of individual cords or strandsof reinforcement material. Hereafter, if reference is made to thereinforcement layer as "reinforcement braiding", it is to be known thatthe particular pattern of the reinforcement layer may take any one ofthe various forms, and is not confined to a braid-type weave. The innerhose 10 shown is a complete hose after being cured by vulcanization. Theinner hose shown in FIG. 1 and described above has not, however, beenfitted with the normal and usual protective cover designed to protectthe hose from its outside environment, or abrasion and wear.

The inner hose 10, as stated above, is constructed from the standardhose manufacturing machines by conventional methods such as shown inFIG. 2 comprising, from left to right, firstly the mandrel 20, the innerliner applicator 22 which rotates around the moving mandrel to wrap alayer of the tube or inner material 12 upon the mandrel. Shown in FIG. 2is a "double head" type tube applicator 22. Following the application ofthe inner liner material 12, a layer of tie gum 14 is circularilywrapped upon the inner liner layer 12 by means of a "single head" tiegum applicator 24. Following the application of the tie gum 14, braider26 wraps hose reinforcement strands 16 upon the tie gum layer 14. Theparticular resultant pattern of the reinforcing material 16 may bevaried as desired. Braider 26 may wrap a plurality, as many as 64 ormore, of interwoven strands. Most commonly today, half are wound fromthe left hand, and half from the right hand. Other types of hosereinforcement may be laid down, such as using one or a plurality ofcircular or helical strands. As indicated above, if a lightweight innerhose is desired and the majority of the hoop strength is to be in theremovable hose covering, only a minimum or no amount of reinforcementmay be employed.

Following the application of the hose reinforcement material 16, anotherlayer of tie gum 18 is applied to the uncompleted hose by means ofapplicator 28 which is identical to the single head tie gum applicator24. This completes the fabrication of a single reinforcement layer innerhose 10 and the only steps remaining are the steps of wrapping the innerhose for the vulcanization, and finally, the vulcanization. If, however,additional layers of reinforcement material were wished to be added tothe inner hose 10, provisions for doing so is shown in the dottedrectangle where braider 26a is shown placing the braided reinforcementmaterial upon the inner hose 10 followed by tie gum applicator 28a.Still further, if it were desired to place a hose covering upon theinner hose 10, an applicator for the covering material, which is amachine like the previously mentioned applicators, would follow tie gumapplicator 28a such as also shown within the dotted rectangle. In thedotted rectangle is shown a "double head" hose covering applicator 30applying the hose covering material 29.

Continuing on, a nylon wrap is applied to the top layer of tie gum 18 bymeans of the nylon wrap applicator 32 which wraps two layers of nyloncloth tightly upon the tie gum layer 18. Following the nylon wrapapplicator 32 is the caterpillar track take-off 34, commonly called a"cat take-off", which graps the completely fabricated inner hose, stillon the mandrel, between two parallel opposed tracks and pulls themandrel with its covering through the various processes outlinedpreviously. The completely fabricated inner hose, still retaining itsmandrel 20, is then directed to the vulcanizer which applies heat to theinner hose to cure the elastomeric tie gum materials. In vulcanizing,heat may be applied from the outside to cure the hose from the outsidein, or heat may be applied internally to mandrel 20 by the introductionof steam, in which case the hose will be cured from the inside out. Notto be left undone, of course, the hose may be cured from the outside andinside simultaneously. After the hose has remained sufficiently longwithin the vulcanizer, the hose will effect a complete cure. The mandrelprevents the hose from collapsing or shrinking in diameter smaller thanthe mandrel size due to the tension placed on the hose by the hosereinforcement, and the nylon outer wrap holds the material so that theoutside diameter does not enlarge excessively which might be due to heatexpanded entrapped air bubbles. After the elastomeric materials havecured, the nylon wrap is removed from the inner hose by unwinding it,and the mandrel is pushed out of the hose by applying pressure behindthe mandrel and lubrication forward of the mandrel. Generally utilizedis a soapy water mixture as a lubricating fluid and air pressure as apressurizing method.

As indicated above, many times it may be desirable to utilize onecontinuous length of inner hose unbroken by connectors or couplingswhere various lengths of hose are joined. In the method of manufacturinghose as detailed above, hose length is many times limited by the lengthof the mandrel which must be removed from the hose without the hosebeing destroyed. Conventional technology limits hose construction toapproximately 500 feet lengths. Applicant, however, has devised a methodof fabricating long lengths of hose utilizing an internally movingmandrel, and such method is described in Appllicant's U.S. Pat. No.4,488,921, issued Dec. 18, 1984, and such method may be used to make theinner hose of extremely long lengths.

Proceeding now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the inventive hightensile strength removable hose covering 40 is shown. Immediatelynoticeable is the manner by which the high tensile strength whichcharacterizes the hose covering is imparted, namely the elongatedlongitudinally running high tensile strength steel cables 42. Thesecables, which may be made of stainless steel or any other materialswhich exhibits high tensile strength, such as steel, Kevlar (atrademarked material of DuPont), or Nylon, are embedded into theelastomeric material 43 of the removable hose covering. In thisspecification, the terms "hose material", "elastomeric material", or"tie gum" will be used interchangeable and all terms refer toelastomeric or thermoplastic materials commonly used in the constructionof hose. The cables shown are parallel and run the entire length of thehose covering, secured at each end by appropriate holding or couplingmethods.

FIG. 3 also shows, in partial sectional view, two different embodimentsof finished construction.

It is desired that the removable hose covering 40 not only possess hightensile strength in the longitudinal direction, but also have tensilestrength in the transverse direction, commonly called hoop strength, toresist fluid pressure. The obvious purpose of this is the same reasonthat hose reinforcement layers are embedded in the hose constructionpreviously described, i.e., to permit the pressurized conveyance offluids through the hose. In order to efficiently impart hoop strength tothe removable hose covering to prevent bursting of the hose under highpressure, the hose reinforcement materials 44 must of necessity beembedded in the removable hose covering materials as part of thedevice's manufacture. The hose reinforcement materials 44 attach, in thepreferred embodiment shown, to closure mechanism 46 and 48 on oppositesides of the removable hose covering 40. Lastly, outside hose cover 50is detailed.

It is to be noted that the hose materials such as tie gum, when cured,also contribute to the hoop strength of the removable hose covering 40as it does also in common hose. The addition of hose reinforcement,however, greatly enhances the hoop strength.

The method of manufacturing the removable hose covering 40 is to firstlysituate on opposite sides of the assembly line the hose closuremechanism, namely closure catch 46 and closure receiver 48. Closurecatch 46 and closure receiver 48 are so configured that on the portionopposite each clasping and holding mechanism, means are incorporated toreceive and secure the transverse reinforcement material 44. One of theways this may be easily accomplished is by the closure mechanism holdingtwo parallel longitudinal cables or rods 52 and 54 on opposite sides ofthe removable hose covering, the cables adapted to be encircled aroundtheir circular diameter by loops of the transverse reinforcementmaterials 44, and then the cables to be held in spaced apartconfiguration by hooks or other means in the ends of the closuremechanisms.

An example of the hooks incorporated into the closure mechanism forsecuring at intervals the longitudinal cables are shown in FIG. 4. Hereeach part of the closure mechanism has an outstanding hook 47 or 49 toengage the longitudinal cables 52 or 54 shown in position withtransverse reinforcement materials 44 wrapped under tension from cableto cable.

While the discussion above centered on the relationship of thereinforcing material and the hooks 47 and 49 incorporate into theclosure mechanism, in fabricating the removable hose covering, theparallel longitudinal high tensile strength cables 42 are laid downbetween the separated closure mechanism catch 46 and receiver 48 and thefirst layer of surrounding hose material such as a plastic or rubber,tie gum being the most commonly used material, placed atop thelongitudinal cables 42. It may be helpful to envision the hose covering40 to be assembled in an upside-down position from that shown in FIG. 3where the removable hose would be supported horizontally on the sidewhich is to eventually receive the hose covering material 50. In suchupside-down configuration from that shown in FIG. 3, the tie gummaterial 43 which surrounds the longitudinal high tensile strengthcables may be a single layer of tie gum material with the longitudinalcables pressed into it, or may comprise a plurality of layers on bothsides of the longitudinal cables 42. In either case, the tie gummaterial 43 will extend on both sides right up to the closure mechanisms46 and 48, which upon curing, will bind the tie gum material to theclosure mechanism. Following the surrounding of the longitudinal cablesby tie gum material, the hose reinforcement material 44 is wrappedaround longitudinal cables or rods 52 and 54, under tension, and thenthe cables 52 and 54 placed around hooks 47 and 49 respectively, or thecables 52 and 54 may already be around hooks 47 and 49 when wrapped withreinforcement materials 44. At this point in time, the reinforcementmaterials 44 are under tension, supported between the two opposite endsof the closure mechanism. Following the placement of the reinforcingmaterial between the closure mechanism, additional layers of tie gummaterial or other elastomeric material 45 is laid on top of the wraps oftransverse reinforcement material 44. It may be necessary at that pointto place pressure upon the tie gum materials 45 to push the materialthrough the reinforcement layers to join with the tie gum material 43which was earlier placed covering the longitudinal high tensile strengthcables 42.

Additional layers of tie gum material may be added to the top surface ofthe removable hose covering, remembering that the removable hosecovering is upside-down from its position shown in FIG. 3 and that thetie gum material added to the top of the hose covering during this timeof fabrication will actually be the material which will reside next tothe inner hose. After sufficient time gum material 45 has been added tothe removable hose covering 40, the only material left remaining is thatof the cover material 50 which is added then to the underside of thestill upside-down removable hose covering 40. This protective hosecovering material 50 is designed to protect the invention from theenvironment, abrasion, damage, and the like.

Extreme resistance to abrasion, and the environment, is provided by thecombined hose covering 50 and the longitudinal high tensile strengthcables 42. It is not difficult to envision a situation where theinvention might be situated in a ship to shore fuel unloading operationwhere the cable, running from the ship, will lie on the ocean floor,coming up on the beach to the inland storage facility. The hose couldwell be passing through a bed of coral reef and as such, subjected toextreme abrasion and cutting. In this situation, the coral can abraidand cut the outer cover 50, however, in doing so will soon meetlongitudinal cables 42 which, being of stainless steel or other hardmetal, will preserve the integrity of the hose. The only damage will bethat portion of the outer cover 50 which was cut or scraped off by thecoral until the coral met the stainless steel cables. It is envisionedthat there may be a large number of spaced apart parallel longitudinalcables 42 incorporated into the removable hose covering 40 providing theresistance to abrasion. Thus, the hose will take on characteristicssimilar to an armored cable in terms of resistance to abrasion, cuts,and other environmental dangers.

Finally, the fabricated removable hose covering 40 has the tie gum orother elastomeric materials cured by vulcanizing which binds everythinginto one solid mass. It may be necessary to lay down nylon wrap or othermaterial on both sides of the hose covering prior to vulcanization andcuring. The removable hose covering may be cured by placing it in apress while applying heat to the tie gum materials. Heat may be appliedby placing the combination, including the press, in an oven, or byheating the surfaces of the press.

As indicated earlier, the corrugated surface covering each individuallongitudinal cable as described on the right hand portion of FIG. 3 maybe accomplished during the fabrication of the hose covering by pressingthe tie gum material around the longitudinal cables or, as in the lefthand side of FIG. 3, additional tie gum material may be added to give asmooth outer surface. Obviously, if the corrugated finish is desired,the necessary troughs and swells must be added to the surface of thepress to correspond with the resultant surface of the hose covering.

Pressure is necessarily applied through the press to prevent anyentrained air bubbles from expanding during the heating and curingprocess which might tend to disrupt the integrity of the hose covering.

While it is anticipated that the closure mechanism is to run the fulllength of the removable hose covering, it may be desired to section theclosure mechanism, i.e., each portion of the closure mechanism would bea defined length although the closure mechanism generally would extendthe total length of the removable hose covering with gaps inbetween,much like the common zipper mechanism except that each side would meetthe other for the lockable portion. Of course, longitudinal cables 52and 54 should not be sectioned, although it could be possible to sectionthem along with the closure mechanism. As mentioned earlier, hooks 47and 49 would be discrete elements spaced along the length of theclosure. The reason for this is that should the hooks 47 and 49 becontinuous like the closure portions, the hose reinforcement material 44would have no clear path to make a continuous wrap side to side betweenthe longitudinal cables 52 and 54.

Another embodiment of an alternate enclosure mechanism is shown in FIG.5 where both catch 51 and receiver 53 have upward protruding fingers 55and 57 respectively to receive and hold the different strands of hosereinforcement material as well as the hose materials which will overlapthe fingers. Preferably, fingers 55 and 57 are individual fingers,closely spaced, running the entire length of the closure mechanisms 51and 53.

It is obvious from the above description that the removable hosecovering may be assembled in one continuous operation wherein manyindividual steps are being applied simultaneously at various pointsalong the production line to fabricate the hose covering while the hosecovering is moving along the assembly line. For example, referring toFIG. 6, an assembly line for manufacturing the inventive removable hosecovering 40 by the method described is shown. Proceeding from left toright, high tensile strength longitudinal cables 42 are first laid downupon the assembly line, longitudinal cables 42 being unreeled from reels76, the other end of the cable being taken up in the completed removablehose covering at the completed end of the assembly line, hereinafterdiscussed. As earlier mentioned, these longitudinal cables are undertension during the period of fabrication which may be accomplished byrestraining reels 76. Following longitudinal cables 42, the elongatedclosure mechanism which is divisible in two pieces, namely closure catch46 and closure receiver 48, are stored and unreeled from reels 62 and 64respectively on to the assembly line at positions parallel to andoutside of the parallel longitudinal cables 42. Following the closuremechanism being laid down, a layer of tie gum material 43, stored andunreeled from reel 72, is laid on the top of and immediately belowlongitudinal cables 42 between the closure mechanisms 46 and 48. Thistie gum material is pressed around the longitudinal cables 42 to insurecomplete coverage of the cables by the tie gum material and to preventthe entraining of air bubbles. This is accomplished by rollers whichengage the top and the bottom of the removable hose covering, showndiagramically by Numbers 71 and 73. Following the application of the tiegum material 43 about the longitudinal cables 42, the hose reinforcementmaterial is laid transversely across the removable hose covering fromeach side. If it is desired that the transverse hose reinforcementmaterial should be attached to each of the closure mechanisms' catch 46and receiver 48, and utilizing the construction described in FIG. 4,longitudinal rods or cables 52 and 54 unreeled from reels 66 and 68respectively are placed alongside the already laid down closuremechanisms 46 and 48. Following the two longitudinal cables 52 and 54,wrapping machine 70 wraps hose reinforcement material 44 over the twolongitudinal cables 52 and 54 in whatever pattern is desired, suchpattern could take the form of a spiral or interwoven braid. The cables52 and 54 are next moved over the hooks 47 and 49 of the closure claspcatch 46 and closure receiver 48 respectively. The hose reinforcementmaterial 44 was placed over the cables 52 and 54 under tension and whenthese cables are located over the hooks 47 and 49, there may be impartedadditional tension to the hose reinforcement materials. Tension iscreated upon the hose reinforcing materials 44 by now holding apart thetwo pieces of the closure mechanisms 46 and 48. This tension ismaintained while the tie gum material 45 is next added, and all otheradded remaining tie gum materials are finally cured during the laststep, the step of vulcanizing the removable hose covering.

It is entirely possible that the transverse wrapping of cables 52 and 54by hose reinforcing materials 44 could be accomplished at a distancefrom the assembly line shown and the wrapped cables 52 and 54 introducedto the assembly line at the point where materials 44 presently joinscables 52 and 54. In such case, cables 52 and 54 would just be slippedover the closure mechanism hooks 47 and 49.

Following the application of the hose reinforcement material 44, tie gumlayer 45 is laid on top of the hose reinforcement material utilizingseparate tie gum applicator 74. It will probably be most likely requiredthat there be a rolling of the tie gum layer 45 through and around thestrands of the hose reinforcement material 44 to join tie gum 43. Suchmay be accomplished by rollers 72. Following the application of tie gummaterial 45 and the rolling thereof, additional tie gum layers (notshown) may be laid upon the already existing layers of tie gum asdesired. Lastly, hose covering material 50, stored upon reel 86, is laidatop the tie gum layer 43 which, if the removable hose cover isfabricated upside-down as earlier suggested, would be applied to thebottom portion of the hose covering during assembly and is so shown inFIG. 6. This covering serves to protect the outside of the removablehose covering 40 from the environment, its associated abrasion, anddamage.

At this point, the removable hose covering 40 is now in condition forfinal curing, called vulcanization, of the tie gum or other elastomericmaterials. To accomplish same, a press 84 is utilized, the presscomprising rather large flat faces or, if the outside of the removablehose covering 40 is to be corrugated, corrugations in one face whichpress down upon the fabricated hose covering 40 and, simultaneouslyapply pressure and heat to the hose covering to cure the elastomericmaterials. Both faces of the press which engage both sides of theremovable hose covering 40 may be heated, or only one face may beheated, and in which case, the heat from the heated face must passcompletely through the removable hose covering to effect a completecuring.

It may be necessary to prepare the top and bottom of removable hosecovering 40 with a nylon cover prior to vulcanization, which cover isretained during the process of vulcanization, but removed thereafter.

Upon curing, the hose materials bind all the components of the inventioninto a solid, but flexible mass.

As earlier mentioned, it will be necessary to apply pressure through thepress 84 to both sides of the removable hose covering 40 during thevulcanization process to reduce swelling caused by expanding entrappedair bubbles. All through the fabrication operation, the closuremechanisms are held apart under tension, including during vulcanizationin order that the hose reinforcement material 44 is maintained undertension.

Following the vulcanization, the nylon cover is stripped and theremovable hose covering 40 is wound on take-up reel 82 which is held ina position such that the necessary stress on the longitudinal cables 42earlier discussed is maintained throughout the operation. While means toapply tension to all parts of the invention requiring same have not beenshown, it is realized that the methods are well known in the art, forexample, may be accomplished by placing a drive on take-up reel 82 andrestraints on all unloading reels.

Two finishes are shown in the top of the removable hose covering in FIG.3, namely that hose covering 50 having an outer flat surface as shown inthe left hand of FIG. 3, or the hose covering 50 surface having acorrugated shaped covering where the additional upward waves of material43 are covering the longitudinal cables 42. The outward surface of bothembodiments are made similarly, however, the smooth surface has extratie gum material added covering the longitudinal cables and then thematerial placed under pressure to distribute it evenly over the wholesurface. Less tie gum material may be utilized in the embodiment shownin the right half of FIG. 3, i.e., the portion having the corrugated orrippled top.

It is obvious that because the removable hose covering, when emplaced,will possess a different inner and outer diameter, the under portion ofthe removable hose covering will compress while the outer surface of theremovable hose covering will stretch. Obviously the corrugated shapedportion of the removable hose covering in the right hand side of FIG. 3will be easier to emplace over the inner hose 10 as it offers lessresistance to transverse stretching.

It is realized that many embodiments of the high tensile strengthremovable hose covering may be constructed, for example, FIG. 7illustrates a cross-sectional view of a removable hose covering absentthe longitudinal high tensile strength cables wherein this embodimentclosely approximates usual hose construction in its most common formwherein protection is offered in hoop strength, i.e., resistance againsthose bursting, in abrasion resistance, and resistance to environment byalternate layers of transverse hose reinforcement material 56 passingfrom side to side between the closure mechanisms on opposite sides,alternating between layers of tie gum 59. As in the removable hosecovering shown in FIG. 3, outer hose covering layer 58 shown in FIG. 7is applied to the outside of the removable hose covering for protectionagainst the environment, abrasion, and the like. It is realized ofcourse that this hose covering layer 58 may be placed on both sides ofthe alternate removable hose covering 60.

Thus it is apparent from the fabrication of the removable hose coveringabove described that with the inclusion of steel or other hard materialhigh tensile strength longitudinal cables, the subject invention, inaddition to providing high tensile strength in the longitudinaldirection, does provide extremely high resistance to abrasion by virtueof the fact that almost immediately under the outer hose covering arelocated the longitudinal steel cables and, if there are a largeplurality of longitudinal cables, closely but evenly spaced, the hosecovering will abraid down to the outside surface of these cables atwhich time the cables begin to serve as the abrasion-resistant element.

To use the subject invention, the removable hose covering is firstwrapped around the inner tube, the closure mechanism brought togetherinto a clasped position, and then the ends of the removable hosecovering secured. It may be helpful to inflate the inner tube under aslight pressure immediately prior to engage opposite sides of theclosure mechanism.

It is conceivable that high hoop strength is not required in theremovable hose covering and in such case it is feasible to lay the hosereinforcement materials from each side of the closure mechanism withouthaving a physical attachment of the hose reinforcement material to theclosure mechanism. One embodiment may include a lip formed on theclosure mechanism which would receive the hose reinforcement materiallaying on the lip, and then encompassed with the hose material layerwherein the bonding of the hose material layer by curing would providenecessary attachment of the hose reinforcing materials to the closuremechanisms. Additionally, it is possible to place eyelets onto theclosure mechanisms in place of fingers 57 or 58 whereupon the hosereinforcement materials may traverse from side to side passing throughthe eyelets.

Further, in the event that the hoop strength is built into the innertube, it may not be necessary for hose reinforcement materials to beplaced in the removable hose covering, or that only minimal reinforcingmaterials be included in the removable hose covering.

Lastly, it may be possible to replace the lockable portions of theclosure mechanisms, namely the catch and receiver 48 and 46 witheyelets, whereupon, when the removable hose covering is utilizedencompassing the inner hose, a pin would pass through the eyelets of theclosure mechanism. Obviously the closure mechanism eyelets would have tobe staggered so they do not interfere with each other.

While a preferred embodiment and one alternate embodiment of theinvention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated thatthere is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure as it isapparent that various other embodiments such as different designs ofclosures may be utilized. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended tocover all modifications and alternate embodiments falling within thespirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended Claims.

I claim:
 1. A method of fabricating a high tensile strength removablehose covering adapted to surround and protect an inner hose and toimpart high tensile strength in the longitudinal direction to thecombined inner hose and removable hose covering for the full length ofthe hose covering, the method comprising the steps of:laying down afirst part of an elongated two part separable lockable closuremechanism; laying down a second part of the elongated separable lockableclosure mechanism spaced apart from and parallel to said first part ofsaid elongated separable lockable closure mechanism; laying down anelongated longitudinal high tensile strength member between and parallelto said first and said second part of said elongated separable lockableclosure mechanism; placing a first elastomeric hose material layer uponone side of and parallel to said elongated longitudinal high tensilestrength member and said elongated closure mechanism and engaging saidfirst part and said second part of said closure mechanism; placing hosereinforcement upon said first elastomeric hose material layer andinterposed between said first part and said second part of said closuremechanism; placing a second elastomeric hose material layer upon saidhose reinforcement and between said first part and said second part ofsaid closure mechanism; placing a cover layer upon the opposite side ofsaid longitudinal high tensile strength member from said firstelastomeric hose material layer; and curing said elastomeric hosematerial layers and cover layer whereupon the cured hose material layersand cover layer bind the longitudinal high tensile strength member, theseparable lockable closure mechanism, and hose reinforcement togetherinto one completed removable hose covering.
 2. The method forfabricatiang a high tensile strength removable hose covering as definedin claim 1 wherein said step of placing hose reinforcement between saidfirst part and said second part of said closure mechanism includes thestep of attaching said hose reinforcement to said first part and secondpart of said closure mechanism.
 3. The method of fabricating a hightensile strength removable hose covering as defined in claim 2 furtherincluding the steps of adding alternate layers of hose reinforcement andelastomeric hose material on said second elastomeric hose materiallayer.
 4. The method of fabricating a high tensile strength removablehose covering as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of laying down anelongated longitudinal high tensile strength member includes the stepsof laying down a plurality of elongated longitudinal high tensilestrength cables.
 5. The method of fabricating a high tensile strengthremovable hose covering as defined in claim 2 wherein said step ofattaching said hose reinforcement to both said first part and saidsecond part of said closure mechanism includes the step of engagingprotruding fingers attached respectively to said first part and saidsecond part of said closure mechanism.
 6. The method of fabricating ahigh tensile strength removable hose covering as defined in claim 2wherein said step of attaching said hose reinforcement to said firstpart and said second part of said closure mechanism includes the stepsof:placing a first longitudinal wire proximate and parallel to saidclosure mechanism first part; placing a second longitudinal wireproximate and parallel to said closure mechanism second part; loopingsaid hose reinforcement around said longitudinal wires; and attachingsaid first longitudinal wire to said closure mechanism first part andattaching said second longitudinal wire to said closure mechanism secondpart.
 7. The method of fabricating a high tensile strength removablehose covering as defined in claim 6 wherein the step of looping saidhose reinforcement between said first and second longitudinal wiresincludes the step of helically winding the hose reinforcement materialaround said first and second longitudinal wires.
 8. The method offabricating a high tensile strength removable hose covering as definedin claim 6 wherein the step of looping said hose reinforcement aroundsaid first and second longitudinal wires includes the step of braidingsaid hose reinforcement around said first and second longitudinal wires.9. The method of fabricating a high tensile strength removing hosecovering as defined in claim 6 wherein said step of attaching said hosereinforcement to both said first part and said second part of saidclosure mechanism includes the step of engaging protruding fingersattached respectively to said first part and said second part of saidclosure mechanism about said first and second longitudinal wires.